Day Trips

The Giant’s Causeway is one of Northern Ireland’s biggest attractions. In the summertime it does get very very busy which can make it hard to fully appreciate. There are alternative ways the local’s know to enjoy the causeway walk even in the height of summer on the North Coast. One of the most obvious is […]

Commissioned by Earl Bishop Frederick Hervey in 1783, the Mussenden Temple remains one of the most iconic structures in Northern Ireland. The ‘Temple’ was built as a library for the Bishop and named in honour of his cousin Mrs Freidswide (Bruce) Mussenden who was a close friend. Mrs Mussenden died very young in 1785 the […]

One of the hidden gems of County Derry, the Country Park is a 25 min drive from Downhill and a favourite with locals of all ages. Beautiful woodland paths wind alongside the river bank crossing over and back via a series of bridges. My imagination just lights up when I walk here, but for us […]

The gardens at the Bishop’s Gate of Downhill Demense are a much photographed part of the Estate. They are currently undergoing significant work, but we enjoyed a wonderful rambling walk this afternoon in the late winter afternoon light and I thought I would share some photos of perhaps less documented details of the Black Glen […]

Something pretty to remind us all that spring is coming! We’re going to start a new page on the blog with guests beach images, if you have any favourites we’d love to see them! In the meantime enjoy this short… the music is from a locally recorded album made by traditional musicians all from the […]

Travel Information for Day-trippers The Giants Causeway is one of the ‘must see’ sights when visiting Northern Ireland. From near – by Downhill Hostel guests can do a beautiful day trip to the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, and Bushmills Distillery. So if you want to stay on the legendary Downhill Beach at […]

Ferry contact number: 00353 74 93 81901 from NI or 07493 81901 from Eire The Lough Foyle ferry runs between Magilligan Point (the far end of our beach) and Greencastle, Inishowen, County Donegal. A 15 minute drive from Downhill Hostel brings you to Magilligan Point where you can catch the ferry as a foot passenger […]